Air heating and circulating device having an oscillating fan blade



p 1967 B. E. REICHENBACH 3,

' AIR HEATING AND CIRCULATING DEVICE HAVING I AN OSCILLATING FAN BLADE Filed March 24, 1965 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ahala:

ON oFF MAN-AUT arr J]: '7" INVENTOR.

figuno if Re'chenbac/i I imam/g5.

Sept. 12, 1967 B. E. REICHENBACH 3,341,689

AIR HEATING AND CIRCULATING DEVICE HAVING AN OSCILLAT ING FAN BLADES Filed March 24, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Bra/70 fieic/ie/vbach W? A TTURNEYS.

Sept. 12, 1967 B E. REICHENBACH AIR HEATING AND CIRCULATING DEVICE HAV LNG 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 AN OSCILLATING FAN BLADE Filed March 24, 1955 INVENTOR. Bruno f. Rechenbczcfz 0! W AT/DRN 5,

United States Patent 3,341,689 AIR HEATlN G AND CIRCULATING DEVICE HAV- ING AN OSCILLATIN G FAN BLADE Bruno E. Reichenbach, 707 Park Ave., Lake Park, Fla. 33403 Filed Mar. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 442,278 15 Claims. (Cl. 219-371) This invention concerns an air circulation fan, and more particularly concerns a fan having an air moving or air pushing blade swung on an axis located at one edge of the blade.

According to the invention, there is provided an air circulation device which may include a cabinet, case or enclosure, or the device may be built into furniture, ceilings, win-dow openings, etc. The device may be installed in homes, house trailers, stores, hospitals, factories, or wherever and air circulation device is required. The device further includes a blade oscillatable on an axis at one edge thereof. The blade may oscillate on a vertical or horizontal axis. Electromagnets are located at opposite sides of the blade and coact with a magnetic plate carried by the blade for oscillating the blade. Switches are provided at opposite sides of the cabinet and these are contacted in turn by the blade as it reaches its end of travel in each direction. The switches are connected in circuit with the electromagnets and a power supply in such a way that the electromagnets operate alternately to pull the blade on one direction and then the other.

The cabinet, case, or other enclosure has lateral openings in which may be placed air filters. Inside the cabinet, case or enclosure is a partition in which are air inlet openings closed by flexible diaphragms which serve as valves to open alternately as the fan blade oscillates. The air enters the cabinet, case or enclosure through the lateral openings and air filters and then passes alternately through the openings in the partition. The partition supports the electromagnets. Behind the partition are two rear compartments into which air passes from the lateral openings in the cabinet, case or enclosure. In these compartments may be located electric heater coils located at the lateral openings for heating air entering the compartments. The rear compartments may be wholly or partially lined with thermal insulation material. The cabinet, case or enclosure has a front main opening which may be covered by a screen guard. Between the screen and partition is a front compartment in which the fan blade oscillates.

The device is provided with push button and switch controls for starting and stopping the fan and turning the heating coils on and off. A thermostat may be provided for automatically actuating the control circuit to oscillate the fan blade when the temperature rises above a certain level. Another thermostat may be provided for automatically actuating the control circuit to oscillate the fan blade and energize the heater coils when the temperature falls below a certain level. A further switch may be provided in the control circuit to provide optional operation automatically under thermostat control or under manual control independently of the thermostats.

The device may be provided with a flat back for operation while standing close to a wall. The device may also be made with a right angled back for fitting or being built into a corner of a room or into a ceiling or wall.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an air circulation device including a cabinet, case or enclosure in which is a laterally oscillatable vertical or horizontal fan blade, so that the blade pushes air without blowing it.

Another object is to provide a device as described with electromagnets arranged to pull and turn the fan blade alternately in one direction and then the other.

'ice

A further object is to provide an air circulation device including a cabinet, case or enclosure into two rear compartments and a front compartment, a vertical orhorizontal fan blade being disposed in the front compartment and arranged to oscillate on a vertical or horizontal axis, electromagnets supported by the partition to oscillate the fan blade, openings in the sides of the cabinet, case or enclosure to admit air into the rear compartments, and valved openings in the partition to admit air from the rear compartments into the front compartment.

Another object is to provide an air circulation device as described, with electric heating coils in the rear compartments to pass warmed air into the front compartment.

A further object is to provide an air circulation device as described in which the cabinet, case or enclosure has a flat back to fit flush against a wall or has a right angled back to fit into a corner of a room for operation there, or to fit into an opening in a ceiling, wall, floor, etc.

Still another object is to provide an air circulation device as described with a control circuit whereby the electromagnets will be energized automatically and whereby the fan operation and heater coils will be subject to automatic thermostat control.

Another object is to provide an air circulation device as described wherein the control circuit includes switches for rendering the starting, stopping and continued operation of the device entirely subject to manual control.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an air circulation device embodying the invention,

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on lines 3-3, 44, and 55 respectively of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of part of the device showing control switches,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fan blade,

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an electric circuit employed in the device,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another air circulation device, and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1010 of FIG. 9.

Referring first to FIGS. l-7, there is shown an air circulation device 10 including a cabinet, case or enclosure 12 having a generally rectangular top wall 14, bottom wall 16, back wall 18, and side walls 19, 20.

The top and bottom walls are rounded at the front. The front of the cabinet or case is open and a Wire mesh screen 22 enclosed in a frame 24 is fitted into a front opening defined between front edges of side walls 19, 20 and front edges of the top and bottom walls 14, 16. The side walls are flat at their rear portions and are slightly curved at their forward edges so that the cabinet is generally cylindrically curved at its front. The cabinet or case can be supported on four casters 25 secured to the underside of the bottom wall 16. At the upper front part of the right side wall 20 are control switches including a START pushbutton switch 26, and ON-OFF switch 28, MANUAL-AUTOMATIC switch 30 and HEAT ON-OFF switch 32; see FIG. 6. At opposite side Walls are frames 33 with open tops in which are removably inserted long, narrow fibrous filter pads 34 which filter air entering the cabinet or case through lateral openings 36a, 36b in the cabinet or case. A signal lamp 29 which lights up when heater coils in the cabinet or case are energized is located near the switches.

Inside the cabinet or case is a vertical transversely extending partition 38. A partially cylindrical shelf 40 is formed in the wall; FIGS. 2, 4, 5. On the shelf are two solenoids 42a, 42b. The solenoids are curved and extend arcuately about 90 degrees each. In each solenoid is a curved cavity 43a, 43b in which fits opposite ends 44a, 44b of a cylindrically curved magnetic plate 44. The plates are symmetrically secured in a vertically disposed rigid blade 45 and extend out of opposite sides thereof; see FIG. 7. In the front edge of the blade is secured a flexible rubber strip 46. At its rear vertical edge the blade 45 is formed with a tubular portion 48 having an axial passage 49 through which passes a shaft 50. The blade is supported on the shaft. The shaft is journalled at top and bottom ends in bearing cups 52, 53 seated in recesses in the top and bottom walls 14, 16 of the cabinet.

The partition 38 has a central rear extension 38. There are thus defined two rear compartments C1, C2 between the partition and rear wall 18 and a front compartment C3 between the partition and screen 22. The fan blade 45 turns on a vertical axis in the front compartment C3. The magnetic plate 44 is shown extended equally into both solenoids since the blade 45 is disposed along the central vertical plane of symmetry of the cabinet or case.

Extending radially inward of forward edges of the side walls 19, 20 are panels 60, 62. On inner edges of these panels are sponge rubber pads 63a, 63b.

Microswitches 64, 65 are mounted in the panels adjacent to the pads. These switches have forwardly extending pushbuttons 66a, 66b which are alternately engaged by the flexible strip 46 at each end of travel of the blade 45 when the blade abuts the resilient pad 63a or 63b. The switches are connected to a circuit box 68 via wires 70. A power supply cable or cord 71 is connected to the circuit in box 68. Cord 71 passes through a hole near the bottom of wall 20. The cord terminates in a plug 72 which can be inserted into a suitable alternating current power supply.

The inner side of the rear wall 18 may be covered or lined with a heat resistant plate 74; similar lining may be provided at the top, bottom and side walls. The lateral openings 36a, 36b admit air from the exterior of the cabinet or case into the rear compartments C1, C2. Adjacent to the openings 36a, 36b may be located two assemblies of electric heater coils 75a, 75b. These coils are connected by wires 76 to the circuit in box 68. The two thermostats 80a, 80b may be located on side wall 19 and connected by wires 81 to the circuit in box 68.

In partition 36 are two rectangular openings 82, 82b respectively closed by flexible rubber diaphragms 84a, 84b. These openings admit air from the rear compartments C1, C2 into the front compartment C3. The diaphragms normally close these openings but when the blade 45 turns away from each of the diaphragms in turn, each diaphragm flexes due to the difference in air pressure between the front and rear compartments. This clears each opening 82a, 82b in turn to admit air. While one diaphragm opens the other one closes. A leaf spring 85a, 8512 may be provided on each diaphragm to insure that the diaphragm closes when the blade 45 is turning toward the diaphragm.

The fan blade 45 turns because the solenoids 42a, 42b are alternately energized to draw the right and left sections of plate 44 alternately into the solenoids. The solenoids in conjunction with plate 44 thus act like electromagnets to drive the blade 45 from side to side turning it in oscillatory fashion and driving air out of the front compartment through screen 22. The walls of curved rectangular cavities 43a, 43b in the solenoids guide the curved sections of plate 44.

The control circuit 100 of the air circulation device is shown in FIG. 8 to which reference is now made. It will be noted that power supply cord 71 is connected to a rectifier 102 for rectifying the current of the external power supply if this power supply provides alternating current. The rectifier has a positive terminal 103 and a negative terminal 104. Connected to these terminals is the double pole ON-OFF switch 28. Start switch 26 is a pushbutton switch connected to the positive terminal 103 via switch 28. Switch 26 is also connected in series with the coil of a relay 106. The relay has a return line 107 to negative terminal 104.

Relay 106 has normally open contacts 108, 109 connected between the coil of relay 106 and fixed contact 110 of microswitch 65. The relay 106 has two other normally open contacts 112, 114 connected between negative terminal 104 and one end 115 of solenoid 42b. The other end 116 of the solenoid is connected along with end 118 of solenoid 42a to the positive terminal 103 via switch 28.

Microswitch 65 has two operating pairs of fixed contacts. One pair of contacts 110, 111 are normally short circuited by shorting bar 113. The other pair of contacts 120, 121 are normally open circuited with respect to shorting bar 122. Contact 111 is connected to the end 116 of solenoid 4212. Contact 121 is connected to contact 111. Contact is connected to contact of microswitch 64.

Microswitch 64 has two operating pairs of fixed contacts 130, 131 and 132, 133. Contacts 130, 131 are normally short circuited by shorting bar 134 and contacts 132, 133 are normally open with respect to shorting bar 135. Contact 131 is connected to one terminal of the coil of relay 140. Contact 132 is connected to contact 141 of relay 142. Contact 133 is connected to switch 26 and one end of the coil of relay 106.

Relay has two pairs of normally open contacts 150, 151 and 152, 153. Contact is connected to the switch contact 130. Contact 151 is connected to relay contact 141. Contact 152 is connected to end 119 of solenoid 42a. Contact 153 is connected to the negative terminal 104 via switch 28.

Relay 140 has two pairs of normally open contacts 141, 143 and 144, 145. Contact 143 is connected along with contact 145 to the positive terminal 103 via switch 28. Contact 144 is connected to one end of thermal time delay switch 160.

Switch has a bimetallic element which has its other end connected to negative terminal 103 via switch 28. Switch 160 has two normally closed contacts 161, 162. These contacts are open circuited when the switch element heats up. The opening time of the switch should be no more than one second. Contact 161 is connected to the coil of relay 106. Contact 162 is connected to relay contact 144.

Lamp 29 is connected in parallel with the two sets of heater coils 75a, 75b. These coils are connected in parallel with each other. Common terminals of the heater coils and lamp are connected to one wire 167 in power cord 71. The other common terminals of the heater coils and lamp are connected to contact 165 of switch 32. The other terminal 166 of switch 32 is connected to the other wire 168 of power cord 71.

Thermostat 80a has bimetallic contact element 170 nor mally open with respect to fixed contact 171. The element 170 closes with contact 171 when ambient temperature around the thermostat falls below a predetermined level,

' such as 60 F. Contact 171 is connected to terminal 103 via switch 28. Contact element 170 is connected to one end of the coil of relay 175.

Relay 175 has three normally open pairs of contacts 176, 177; 178, 179; and 180, 181. Contact 176 is connected to power supply wire 168. Contact 177 is connected to switch contact 165. Contact 178 is connected to microswitch contact 132. Contact 179 is connected along With contact 181 to switch contact 200, and to relay contacts 143, 145. Contact 180 is connected to relay contact 144 and time delay switch contact 162.

Thermostat 80b has bimetallic element 190 normally open with respect to fixed contact 191. The element 190 closes with contact 191 when the ambient temperature around the thermostat rises above a predetermined level, such as 80 F. Element 190 is connected to one terminal of the coil of relay 142. Contact 191 is connected to end 116 of solenoid 42b.

The MANUAL-AUTOMATIC SWITCH 30 is a fourpole single-throw switch. Pole P1 is normally closed with contact 201 connected to one end of the coil of relay 175 when the switch is in AUTOMATIC position. Pole P2 is then closed with contact 202 connected to one end of the coil of relay 142. Pole P3 is then open with respect to contact 203 connected along with pole P4 to positive terminal 103 via switch 28. Pole P4 is then closed with contact 200.

In operation of the air circulating fan and circuit 100, the operator will first determine if the fan is to operate automatically or depending on ambient temperature of the thermostats or is to operate independently of the thermostats. Suppose the apparatus is to operate automatically. Switch 30 will then be set to AUTOMATIC position, the left position in which it is shown in FIG. 8. The ON-OFF switch 28 is then set to ON position to close the circuit for direct current supply terminals 103, 104. If the temperature at the thermostats is between two predetermined levels such as 60 F. and 80 the fan blade will not oscillate. Suppose now that the temperature rises above 80". Element 190 of thermostat 8011 will close with element 191. This will energize relay 142. Contacts 141, 143 close and positive voltage is applied at contact 132 of switch 64. Contacts 144, 145 close and relay 106 is energized via switch 160. The relay 106 is energized. Contacts 108, 109 and contacts 112, 114 close. In about a second or less switch 160 opens, but the relay 106 remains energized through a holding circuit including contacts 108, 109 and microswitch contacts 110, 111. When contacts 112, 114 close solenoid 42b is energized and the magnetic plate 44 along with blade 45 are turned to the right or counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 8. Strip 46 of the blade 45 contacts the button 66b of switch 65 and contacts 110, 111 open to deenergize relay 106 while contacts 120, 121 close. Contacts 112, 114 open and solenoid 4212 becomes deenergized while solenoid 42a is energized.

Solenoid 42a becomes energized via contacts 152, 153 of relay 140. Relay 140 becomes energized via closed contacts 130, 131 of switch 66a and closed contacts 120, 121. As the blade 45 reverses its direction due to the energizing of solenoid 42a, contacts 120, 121 open but the solenoid 42a remains energized through relay contacts 152, 153. The relay 140 remains energized through a holding circuit including contacts 141, 143, 150, 151, and 130, 131. The blade 45 continues to travel to the left or clockwise until blade edge 46 reaches switch 64 when switch contacts 130, 131 open while contacts 132, 133 close. This opens the holding circuit of relay 140 which becomes deenergized. Contacts 152, 153 open and the solenoid 42a becomes deenergized. At the same time relay 106 becomes energized via contacts 132, 133. The blade 45 reverses its direction to move counterclockwise or to the right as viewed in FIG. 8. As the blade 45 moves away from switch 64, contacts 132, 133 open but relay 106 remains energized due to the holding circuit including contacts 108, 109 which close when switch '64 is closed by blade 45. The solenoid 42b remains energized until the blade reaches switch 65 when the relay 106 will become deenergized along with solenoid 42b as above explained.

If the temperature drops below the 80 F. level, thermostat 8% will open so that the solenoids cannot become energized. If the temperature should then drop below 60, thermostat 80a will then close element 170 with contact 171 and the same operation as described above will take place With relay 175 operating instead of relay 142. In addition the lamp 29 and heater coils 6 75a, 75b will be energized via closed relay contacts 176, 177. When the temperature rises above 70 F. due to an inherent lag in response of thermostat a, the thermostat will open and the heater coils will become deenergized along with the solenoids and relay 175.

Suppose the operator elects to operate the apparatus independently of the thermostats. The switch 30 will be set to MANUAL position. Poles P1, P2 and P4 become open circuited. Pole P3 is closed with contact 203. The operator closes the ON-OFF switch 28 and presses the START button of switch 26. This energizes relay 106 and it is held energized when the button of switch 26 is released through the holding circuit 108, 109 of the switch. Alternate energizing of the solenoids then proceed as described above with the plate 45 first being drawn to the right as solenoid 42b is first energized. If the operator desires to turn on the heating coils, switch 32 will be set to ON position closing contacts 165, 166 and applying power directly to the heater coils and lamp The circuit is thus versatile and flexible in its operation. The apparatus may be simplified by omission of the heater coils and lamp along with switch 32, but this would not change the basic mode of operation described above in which the solenoids are alternately operated to swing the blade 45 in a horizontal direction on a vertical axis back and forth in the front compartment C3.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown another air circulating device 10a which is similar to device 10 and corresponding parts are indicated by identical primed numbers. The device 10a has a cabinet 12' which is generally rectangular with a rounded front corner CC so that the rear corner defined by back wall sections 18a, 18b will fit into a corner of a room at the intersection of two vertical walls. The oscillatable plate 45 oscillates in a range of about degrees as compared with a range of about 120 degrees for blade 45. The wall sections 18a, 18b and lining sections 74a, 74b are perpendicular to each other rather than being parallel as in walls 19, 20. Screen 22' and frame 24' are narrower than the screen 22 and frame 24. The rear extension 38" of partition 38a is wider than extension 38' of partition 38 in cabinet 12. Solenoids 42a and 42b extend angularly about 60 degrees as compared with 90 degrees for solenoids 42a, 42b and cylindrical plate 44 is correspondingly circumferentially shorter on both sides of blade 45'. Partition 38a has two sections 38a and 38b disposed perpendicular to each other in the cabinet or case and dividing the cabinet into the front compartment C3 and two rear compartments C1 and C2.

Other parts of the device 10a have substantially the same structure and perform the same functions as described for device 10. The circuit of FIG. 8 applies with equal force to the circuitry of device 10a so that the previous explanation will sufiice for device 102.

It is possible to stack a plurality of the air circulation devices 10 or 1011 upon each other as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 5. The casters 25 should be removed when the devices are stacked. Since the oscillating blades 45 or 45 will be out of phase with each other, a more thorough and continuous circulation of air will be obtained. The devices described maybe made up in different sizes for circulating air in rooms of different volumes. For example, the device can be made up in a large size for installation in a factory, where the device may extend from floor to ceiling or roof. The device may be made up in a still larger size for suspension over the ring or floor of a sports arena. The device can be built into a wall, ceiling, or roof of a house, or building of any type, a house trailer, etc.

While the invention has been described in connection with devices having cabinets, cases or enclosures of particular shapes, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and the enclosure of the device will in each case be adapted to a particular installation, with size, and arrangement adapted to suit the shape and requirements of the installation.

It is to be understood that the device can be arranged to operate in a vertical, horizontal or oblique position so that the axis of oscillation of the air moving or air pushing blade is vertical, horizontal or inclined to horizontal and/or vertical planes.

The fan may include a suitable humidifier with water absorbing wicks or any other humidifying arrangement secured and located within the fan casing.

If desired, the device may also be used in association with a vaporizing or dispensing apparatus for a germicide, deodorant, air purifier, perfume, etc. for treating the air circulated by the device. The various switches and controls can be located remotely from the device in a convenient location for operation when required. The switches and controls will be connected to the device by suitable Wires.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into .a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a vertically disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartment when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavitites therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition.

2. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a vertically disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartment when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side Walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, and electric heater coils in the rear compartments disposed near the second named openings in the side walls for heating the air entering the rear compartments.

3. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top Wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a vertically disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on a vertical axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartment when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically cured magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition.

4. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said cabinet dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a vertically disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein pro viding communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartment when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids .are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, a curved screen guard fitted in the open front of the enclosure, frame members at the second named openings in the side walls, and air filter pads removably supported in said frame members.

5. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade disposed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartment when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side Walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, a curved screen guard fitted in the open front of the enclosure, frame members at the second named openings in the side walls, air filter pads removably supported in said frame members, and electric heater coils in the rear compartments disposed near the second name-d openings in the side walls for heating the air entering the rear compartments.

6. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back Wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a verti cally disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said rear wall having two mutually perpendicular sections so that the back of the enclosure can fit into a corner of a room having mutually perpendicular walls, said side walls of the cabinet being disposed perpendicularly to each other, said partition having two mutually perpendicular sections so that the front compartment has substantially the form of a flattened quarter cylinder.

7. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall,

side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a vertically disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, and electric heater coils in the rear compartments disposed near the second named openings in the side walls for heating the air entering the rear compartments, at least one wall in rear compartment being lined with heat resistant material.

8. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a vertically disposed blade in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on a vertical axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, electric heater coils in the rear compartments disposed near the second named openings in the side walls for heating the air entering the rear compartment, a first thermostat switch responsive to temperature above a certain first level and a second thermostat switch responsive to temperature below a certain second level, the electric heater coils and thermostats being connected in said electric circuit so that the solenoids are energized alternately above and below the first and second temperature levels respectively and the heater coils are energized at temperatures below the second level.

9. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an en closure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall,

side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade disposed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so the the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said rear wall having two mutually perpendicular sections so that the back of the enclosure can fit into a corner of a room having mutually perpendicular walls, said side walls of the enclosure being disposed perpendicularly to each other, said partition having two mutually perpendicular sections so that the front compartment has substantially the form of a flattened quarter cylinder, electric heater coils in the rear compartments disposed near the second named openings in the side walls for heating the air entering the rear compartment, a first thermostat switch responsive to temperature above a certain first level and a second thermostat switch responsive to temperature below a certain second level, the electric heater coils and thermostats being connected in said electric circuits so that the solenoids are energized alternately above and below the first and second temperature levels respectively and the heater coils are energized at temperatures below the second level.

10. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade disposed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first .named openings in the partition, said circuit means including two relays, including contacts connected in circuit with the solenoids, one of said microswitches including contacts connected in circuit with one of the relays and one of the solenoids located at one side of the blade, the other of the microswitches including other contacts connected in circuit with the other relay and the other of the solenoids located at the other side of the blade, each microswitch and its associated solenoid being located on opposite sides of the blade, so that when the one solenoid is energized the other solenoid is deenergized and when the other solenoid is energized the one solenoid is deenergized.

11. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure, dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade disposed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindricah ly curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outwardly of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said circuit means including two relays, including contacts connected in circuit with the solenoids, one of said microswitches including contacts connected in circuit with one of the relays and one of the solenoids located at one side of the blade, the other of the microswitches including other contacts connected in circuit with the other relay and the other of the solenoids located at the other side of the blade, each microswitch and its associated solenoid being located on opposite sides of the blade, so that when the one solenoid is energized the other solenoid is deenergized and when the other solenoid is energized the one solenoid is deenergized.

12. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of-said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said circuit means including two relays, including contacts connected in circuit with the solenoids, one of said microswitches including contacts connected in circuit with one of the relays and one of the solenoids located at one side of the blade, the other of the microswitches including other contacts connected in circuit with the other relay and the other of the solenoids located at the other side of the blade, each microswitch and its associated solenoid being located on opposite sides of the blade, so that when the one solenoid is enerigzed the other solenoid is deenergized and when the other solenoid is energized, the one solenoid is deenergized, said circuit means including a two-position automatic-manual selection switch in circuit with a pair of thermostats and the first named relays, said thermostats being activated in said circuit when the selection switch is in the automatic position thereof and being inactive in said circuit when the selection switch is in the manual position thereof, and a manually operable starting switch for pulsing one of the first named relays to energize one of the solenoids when said selection switch is in the manual position, whereby the oscillation of the blade is started.

13. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade disposed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartment from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said circuit means including two relays, including contacts connected in circuit with the solenoids, one of said microswitches including contacts connected in circuit with one of the relays and one of the solenoids located at one side of the blade, the other of the microswitches including other contacts connected in circuit with the other relay and the other of the solenoids located at the other side of the blade, each microswitch and its associated solenoid being located on opposite sides of the blade, so that when the one solenoid is energized the other solenoid is deenergized and when the other solenoid is energized, the one solenoid is deenergized, said circuit means including a two-position automatic-manual selection switch in circuit with a pair of thermostats and the first named relays, said thermostats being activated in said circuit when the selection switch is in the automatic position thereof and being inactive in said circuit when the selection switch is in the manual position thereof, and a manually operable starting switch for pulsing one of the first named relays to energize one of the solenoids when said selection switch is in the manual position, whereby the oscillation of the blade is started, each of the first named relays including a holding circuit for keeping the relays energized in turn when the blade moves away from each of the microswitches, each of the microswitches including other contacts for opening said holding circuits when the blade reaches and actuates the microswitch located at its end of travel in any particular direction.

14. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade disposed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compartments from the rear compartments when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said circuit means including two relays, including contacts connected in circuit with the solenoids, one of said microswitches including contacts connected in circuit with one of the relays and one of the solenoids located at one side of the blade, the other of the microswitches including other contacts connected in circuit with the other relay and the other of the solenoids located at the other side of the blade, each microswitch and its associated solenoid being located on opposite sides of the blade, so that when the one solenoid is energized the other solenoid is deenergized and when the other solenoid is energized, the one solenoid is deenergized, said circuit means including a two-position automatic-manual selection switch in circuit with a pair of thermostats and the first named relays, said thermostats being activated in said circuit when the selection switch is in the automatic position thereof and being inactive in said circuit when the selection switch is in the manual position thereof, and a manually operable starting switch for pulsing one of the first named relays to energize one of the solenoids when said selection switch is in the manual position, whereby the oscillation of the blade is started, each of the first named relays including a holding circuit for keeping the relays energized in turn when the blade moves away from each of the microswitches, each of the microswitches including other contacts for opening said holding circuits when the blade reaches and actuates the microswitch located at its end of travel in any particular direction, said circuit means including a time delay switch for pulsing said one of the first named relays when either thermostat responds to its temperature level.

15. A filtered air circulation device, comprising an enclosure having a closed top wall, bottom wall, back wall, side walls, and an open front, a partition in "said enclosure dividing the interior thereof into a front compartment and two separated rear compartments, a blade dis- 15 posed in the front compartment, means mounting said blade in said front compartment so that the blade is oscillatable laterally on an axis at one edge thereof, said blade having a free edge located near the open front of the enclosure, said partition having openings therein providing communication between the front compartment and both rear compartments, diaphragm members on said partition at said openings for admitting air into the front compaitment from the rear compartment when air pressure in the rear compartments is higher than in the front compartment, two solenoids having curved cavities therein disposed on opposite sides of said blade, a cylindrically curved magnetic plate carried by said blade, said plate having curved sections extending laterally outward of said blade and terminating in said cavities, pushbutton type microswitches supported in the front compartment at opposite ends of travel of said blade for actuation alternately by the blade, electric circuit means interconnecting 1 6 the microswitches and solenoids so that the solenoids are alternately energized to pull the blade in opposite directions alternately, said side walls having air openings therein to admit air into the rear compartments for passage to the front compartments when the diaphragm members are opened at the first named openings in the partition, said blade having a flexible strip in its free edge for con tacting said microswitches at its end of travel in each direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 671,660 4/1901 Schmelz 3 l0-38 961,618 6/1910 Keller 230159 1,328,255 1/1920 Anderson 230-264 2,372,621 3/1945 Williams 230-264 ANTHONY BARTIS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FILTERED AIR CIRCULATION DEVICE, COMPRISING AN ENCLOSURE HAVING A CLOSED TOP WALL, BOTTOM WALL, BACK WALL, SIDE WALLS, AND AN OPEN FRONT, A PARTITION IN SAID ENCLOSURE DIVIDING THE INTERIOR THEREOF INTO A FRONT COMPARTMENT AND TWO SEPARATED REAR COMPARTMENTS, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED BLADE IN THE FRONT COMPARTMENT, MEANS MOUNTING SAID BLADE IN SAID FRONT COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BLADE IS OSCILLATABLE LATERALLY ON AN AXIS AT ONE EDGE THEREOF, SAID BLADE HAVING A FREE EDGE LOCATED NEAR THE OPEN FRONT OF THE ENCLOSURE, SAID PARTITION HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE FRONT COMPARTMENT AND BOTH NEAR COMPARTMENTS, DIAPHRAGM MEMBERS ON SAID PARTITION AT SAID OPENINGS FOR ADMITTING AIR INTO THE FRONT COMPARTMENT FROM THE NEAR COMPARTMENT WHEN AIR PRESSURE IN THE REAR COMPARTMENTS IS HIGHER THAN IN THE FRONT COMPARTMENT, TWO SOLENOIDS HAVING CURVED CAVITIES 